While I don’t often respond to writing prompts, today’s WordPress prompt of “What’s the first book you ever finished and still remember to this day?” caught my attention. I didn’t read a lot as a child except what I needed to do for school, and only really read as a hobby after school was behind me. So, I think I remember a lot of what I read for fun. I know I read quite a few of the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, often re-reading them and making different choices until I got through all the different paths, but I have no idea which ones I read first and when.
Which leaves me with the first specific book I do remember reading, when I was probably about 10 years old: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis. This fantasy tale can be approached and understood on many levels, but as a child it was just a great fantasy story. It was easy as a child to identify with one or more of the 4 children who are the main characters: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. On one hand, we can admire Peter for instance, but on the other hand it was easy to learn from the character arc of Edmund: to see that we can all fall to temptation and get our priorities wrong; to see that even the worst of us can be redeemed; to see that the noble Aslan, the lion king, is most noble when he sacrifices himself for Edmund. These are all things our current culture can learn from.
But it was only much later in life that I realized that Aslan was a representation of Jesus Christ, and that C.S. Lewis was a well-known writer of Christian apologetics (writings in the defense of Christianity). Lewis had created, in his Chronicles of Narnia series, a set of books that operate well on multiple levels. These weren’t just books for children with simple lessons, but books that can contribute to the faith of anyone at any age. In fact, just last year I ordered the series of books because I couldn’t find them and started re-reading them, and I’m over 50 years old. I’ve probably read a couple dozen books by C.S. Lewis, but these “children’s books” are still some of my favorites.
I even have a couple of Aslan’s quotes saved in my file of quotes:
“Oh Adam’s sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!”
“You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve. And that is both honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth”
Have you discovered Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia? If not, check them out whether you want an easy, relaxing read, or whether you’re looking for surprising theological insight. The books work for both. If you have read them, read them again! Maybe you’ll find, as I have, that there’s always something new in them, or something it’s helpful to be reminded of.
Thanks for reading and be sure to check out the rest of my blog where I post near-daily thoughts on Christianity and how it can affect our daily lives!
Driving Toward the Morning Sun 